Eken's Android-powered MID looks mighty nice for $100

Okay, so the last time we told you about an inexpensive Android tablet/MID things didn't turn out so well. So, this time we bring you one to appreciate from afar -- no credit card needed nor, as you'll see, wanted. It's seven-inch, 800 x 480 device from Eken that is selling for $680 RMB in China. That translates to $99.53 currently that, at first glimpse, looks to be quite a bargain. Sure, it has only 2GB of storage, but you can expand that to 32GB with SD. The VIA 8505 processor certainly won't be confused for a Snapdragon but despite that the device pledges only two hours of battery life on a charge. To top it off it's stuck with good 'ol Android 1.5 installed, leaving us to conclude that this is hardly a bargain after all. Shucks.

[koppit Posted Apr 25th 2010 2:47PM]

@jeffster

Look down in the comments, i posted it

[joelaf Posted Apr 25th 2010 2:56PM]

I'd buy it if it was a recognized brandname, like Sorny or Magnetbox

[ceilingcat Posted Apr 25th 2010 4:19PM]

@joelaf we all know blockberry is the best

[yrag Posted Apr 25th 2010 4:42PM]

Here's a Google translation of the original Chinese (which I'm certain doesn't read like it was written by a drunken poet), but it's a crazy fun read:

Walled Members of Friends, as a non-famous person cottage, Si Hun cottage 10 years, honored by Friends of the station's invitation to come for everyone to bring a series of tablet PCs, whether MID, or Tablet PC, later referred to as "lie".

Today, the first PAD, the scenes which immediately, please gently captured your the hand to bring some support for me. 。 . 。 . 。 . 。 . 。 . 。 . 。 .
Take a look at packaging, above screamed MID and E-BOOK, whole body without a Chinese font, a look that is exported overseas offers for higher quality ah!

Let's emotional press the switch, a familiar, long absence, the robot stood silently on the way, not too long ah. 。 . 。 . 。 . 。 .

Taking advantage of robots is still standing guard, we set the bottom end of the next machine operation that sexy key, if you used the onyx boox, you will find that the control key is very familiar. Very calm and in particular the middle circle of red, and the following three red lights, so you can not help but sigh, Gringo's aesthetic, so it was, and what Bauhaus, Memphis, the design of more universal trend can not hold back cottage vigorous pace.

Open after that is the Android 1.5 version of the original, in 800X480 resolution, the face of the whole machine, brother's opinion of you is very calm and collected. 。 . 。 . 。 .

Continue in-depth exploration of the already installed some programs, but the flying letters, in foreign countries are also less than it estimated brothers ..

This side of the machine seems not very thick, visual thickness of 13.4 ... ... and the same as the thickness of the IPAD, great, but a bit small cup with the battery, and can only use more than two hours, sharp enough to see a little brother Film it.

The back is white, no words. 。 . 。 .

VIA 8505 the, uh, can be stable, then regarded as the gold .. 7 inch screen size, and small not small, 800X480 resolution has been good! 128 memory, this bit. 。 . 。 . 2G of storage space, this does not matter, they can add.

Today, more than beer drinking, the first so be it. Members Zhaizhong's brothers like him to support ah.

[Mr Blurrycam Posted Apr 25th 2010 5:17PM]

Why wouldn't they remove the shrinkwrap before taking the picture? Gives it that special cheap look.

[dabockster Posted Apr 25th 2010 6:56PM]

Android 1.5 eh? Is there at least some form of an update function?

Anyone root this thing yet?

[charlied Posted Apr 25th 2010 9:55PM]

$99 is a WHOLESALE price for buying them in bulk for retail. retail will be $160-$190.

I dont know why Eken is selling them with 1.5 - the Manufacturer will sell them with 1.6 which is upgradeable to 2.1

[OddManOut Posted Apr 25th 2010 11:26PM]

I just eBay searched 'tablet computer' and the first item was this very thing, though I think it got a spec bump. 600mhz cpu and Android 2.0...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Google-Android-7-inch-Tablet-PC-Computer-Netbook-8G-SD-/140401982271?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item20b09c3b3f

I still wouldn't buy it. That Razorbook debacle has me wary of this kind of stuff (for now...I'll cave eventually)...

[murkel Posted Apr 26th 2010 11:57PM]

dumb terminal for the ipod/pad generation
Hello cloudlets

[RaDoX73 Posted May 17th 2010 7:58AM]

ATTENTION!!!

We bought some samples and paid via Banktransfer.
After we have paid,our eMail was blocked and it was
fully impossible to get any feedback.

It seems EKEN fucks us, take care!!!

[sfranson Posted Jun 2nd 2010 11:31PM]

here is another site to buy:
http://friendlyarm.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=8269282